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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Nightwing

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in Linux networking, policy-based routing, kernel performance tuning, infrastructure automation, and modern VPN technologies including WireGuard ...

Nwis

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in Linux networking, policy-based routing, kernel performance tuning, infrastructure automation, and modern VPN technologies including WireGuard ...

Nightwing Group

Linux Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in Linux networking, policy-based routing, kernel performance tuning, infrastructure automation, and modern VPN technologies including WireGuard ...

REDLattice

Linux Developer

Dulles, VA · On-site

Design, develop, and maintain low-level kernel-mode components, drivers, and subsystems for Linux platforms. * Perform reverse engineering of Linux binaries (both legitimate and malicious) to ...

REDLattice

Linux Developer

Dulles, VA · On-site

Design, develop, and maintain low-level kernel-mode components, drivers, and subsystems for Linux platforms. * Perform reverse engineering of Linux binaries (both legitimate and malicious) to ...

REDLattice

Linux Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Design, develop, and maintain low-level kernel-mode components, drivers, and subsystems for Linux platforms. * Perform reverse engineering of Linux binaries (both legitimate and malicious) to ...

Nightwing

Linux Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

They are seeking an experienced Linux Developer to design, develop, test, and debug high ... with Linux kernel development • Familiarity with embedded systems or performance-critical ...

Nightwing

Linux Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

We are seeking an experienced Linux Developer to join our engineering team, where the ideal ... with Linux kernel development • Familiarity with embedded systems or performance-critical ...

The Josef Group

Android Developer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$110 - $170/hr

In this role, you'll work alongside a team of talented engineers developing, modifying, and maintaining Android or Linux kernel source code to support advanced mobile-centric efforts. The ideal ...

Nwis

Linux Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$122K - $253K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Linux Developer to join our engineering team. The ideal candidate ... Experience with Linux kernel development * Familiarity with embedded systems or performance ...

Nightwing

Linux Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$122K - $253K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Linux Developer to join our engineering team. The ideal candidate ... Experience with Linux kernel development * Familiarity with embedded systems or performance ...

Actalent

Embedded Software Engineer

Manassas, VA

$55 - $75/hr

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer This role focuses on developing next-generation embedded ... Lead or contribute to the design and development of Linux kernel components and device drivers for ...

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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$37.9K

$81.3K

$124K

How much do junior linux kernel engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior linux kernel engineer in Washington, DC is $81,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $90,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a junior Linux kernel engineer do?

A Junior Linux Kernel Engineer assists in developing, maintaining, and debugging the Linux kernel, which is the core part of the Linux operating system. Their responsibilities often include writing and testing kernel modules, fixing bugs, and contributing to kernel updates under the guidance of senior engineers. They may also help in troubleshooting hardware compatibility and optimizing system performance. This role often requires strong programming skills in C and familiarity with Linux systems and tools.

What are some typical challenges a junior Linux kernel engineer might face in their first year on the job?

As a Junior Linux Kernel Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as understanding the vast and complex architecture of the Linux kernel, navigating extensive codebases, and adhering to strict coding and documentation standards. Collaborating with more experienced engineers and participating in open-source communities can be both rewarding and daunting, as it often requires clear communication and constructive feedback. Additionally, you'll likely spend time debugging low-level system issues and learning to use specialized development tools, all of which are essential for building your expertise and confidence in the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior Linux kernel engineer, and why are they important?

A Junior Linux Kernel Engineer should have a solid understanding of C programming, operating system fundamentals, and computer architecture, typically supported by a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with Linux kernel development tools like Git, GCC, GDB, and patch submission processes, as well as knowledge of version control and debugging tools, is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in diagnosing issues and collaborating with senior engineers and open-source communities. These competencies are crucial for ensuring reliable kernel contributions, learning from experienced developers, and maintaining code quality in a complex technical environment.

What are popular job titles related to Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Junior Linux Kernel Engineer jobs near you

Linux Systems Engineer

Nightwing

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers' most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Nightwing is seeking a highly skilled Linux Systems Engineer to design, deploy, optimize, automate, and support large-scale Linux infrastructure supporting secure networking and remote-access services. This role is ideal for an engineer with deep expertise in Linux networking, policy-based routing, kernel performance tuning, infrastructure automation, and modern VPN technologies including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with network engineering, systems administration, and platform engineering teams to deliver highly available, secure, and scalable infrastructure solutions in mission-critical environments.
Primary Responsibilities
Linux Infrastructure Engineering
  • Design, deploy, administer, and maintain enterprise Linux environments.
  • Develop standardized operating system configurations and hardened baseline builds.
  • Perform operating system upgrades, patch management, lifecycle maintenance, and performance optimization.
  • Troubleshoot complex operating system, networking, and application issues.
Advanced Network Engineering
Design and implement advanced routing architectures utilizing:
  • Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
  • Multiple routing tables
  • Route maps and traffic steering
  • Source-based and destination-based routing
  • Multi-homed network environments
Configure and troubleshoot:
  • OSPF and static routing
  • VLANs, LACP, and 802.1Q trunking
  • Network namespaces
  • VRFs
  • NAT and firewall policies
Analyze and troubleshoot network traffic using:
  • tcpdump
  • Wireshark
  • iproute2
  • nftables
  • iptables
Linux Kernel Tuning & Performance Optimization
Tune Linux kernel parameters for:
  • High-throughput networking
  • Low-latency applications
  • VPN gateway performance
  • Large-scale concurrent connections
Optimize:
  • TCP/IP stack performance
  • Network buffer sizing
  • IRQ balancing
  • CPU affinity
  • NUMA awareness
  • Memory management
Utilize performance analysis tools including:
  • perf
  • sar
  • vmstat
  • iostat
  • eBPF observability tools
  • systemd performance metrics
VPN Engineering
Design, deploy, and support secure VPN infrastructures using:
  • OpenVPN 2.6+
  • WireGuard
  • IPSec
Implement and support:
  • Site-to-site VPNs
  • Remote-access VPNs
  • Hub-and-spoke architectures
  • High-availability VPN clusters
  • Dynamic routing across VPN overlays
Responsibilities include:
  • Troubleshooting encryption, routing, MTU, and performance issues
  • Implementing modern cryptographic standards and VPN hardening best practices
Configuration Management & Automation
Develop and maintain Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions using SaltStack.
Create and maintain:
  • Salt States
  • Pillars
  • Custom modules
  • Orchestration workflows
Automate:
  • System provisioning
  • Configuration deployment
  • Compliance enforcement
  • VPN deployments
  • Security baseline management
Integrate SaltStack with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure monitoring platforms.
Required Qualifications:
Current Top-Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility
Technical Experience
  • 5+ years of Linux Systems Engineering experience
  • 3+ years of advanced Linux networking experience
  • 3+ years of VPN engineering experience
  • 3+ years of SaltStack administration and automation experience
Operating Systems
Strong hands-on experience with:
  • Debian Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
Networking Expertise
Demonstrated expertise with:
  • Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
  • iproute2
  • Routing tables and policy rules
  • Linux bridges
  • Bonding and teaming
  • VLANs
  • VRFs
  • Network namespaces
  • Dynamic routing protocols
  • High-availability networking architectures
VPN Expertise
Strong practical experience with:
  • WireGuard
  • OpenVPN 2.6+
  • IPSec
  • PKI and certificate management
  • TLS authentication
  • Multi-site VPN topologies
  • VPN performance tuning
Automation & Scripting
Experience with:
  • SaltStack
  • Python
  • Bash
  • Git
  • CI/CD workflows

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting cloud platforms including:
    • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
    • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
    • Microsoft Azure
  • Experience with container technologies:
    • Docker
    • Kubernetes
  • Experience supporting confidential computing environments
  • Knowledge of CNSA-compliant cryptographic implementations
  • Familiarity with eBPF-based observability and network diagnostics
  • Industry certifications such as:
    • RHCE
    • LFCE
    • CCNP
    • Equivalent advanced certifications

Desired Skills
  • Exceptional troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capabilities
  • Strong documentation and technical writing skills
  • Ability to operate independently in mission-critical environments
  • Experience designing highly available and fault-tolerant systems
  • Security-first mindset with strong infrastructure design principles
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills

Salary & Benefits
The salary associated with this position ($99,000-$206,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate's qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.
Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.
Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

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